Track star Thomas wins her first-ever 200-meter world championship

American Gabby Thomas, who has been promising the world championship for a long time, finally fulfilled her promise on Tuesday when she defeated silver medallist Julien Alfred in a sprint double, winning the 200-meter Olympic gold.

The 27-year-old Thomas won silver at the world championships last year and bronze in Tokyo, but gold had escaped one of the most well-known competitors in the sport, who had been outspoken in her pursuit of an Olympic medal.

Thomas, who had been in charge of the race the entire way, finished in 21.83 seconds and grinned broadly in shock as she crossed the finish line with her hands on her head.

“Honestly, I kind of blanked out for all of it, I can’t even remember what I was doing, I just wanted to win,” stated Thomas.
“The only moment I remember was crossing the finish line and being in disbelief, that was it.”

Though she was quicker out of the blocks in the 100 meters on Saturday, Brittany Brown of the United States took home the bronze in 20.20. Alfred, who won the 100 meters on Saturday, became Saint Lucia’s first Olympic medallist.

“I’m worn out. Five long days,” Alfred said to the press. “I felt prepared for tonight’s 200-meter race. I have no issues at all; I feel fine. This has significant meaning. I couldn’t ask for more than to win gold and silver at the first Olympics.”

With her season-best time of 21.78 when she came in Paris, Thomas made a powerful impression in the semi-finals on Monday by effortlessly pulling ahead of the competition over the last 50 meters and crossing the finish line in 21.86 seconds.

For Thomas, who holds a master’s degree in public health from the University of Texas and a Harvard degree in neurobiology, the race—which began with a spectacular light show at Stade de France—was a haze.

Declaring, “I have actually never forgotten a race so quickly in my life,” Thomas rang the victory bell along the track while wearing an American flag with gusto.

“I was just on autopilot, but I practiced for it, everything that I did up until that moment was to prepare myself to run that race, so I just knew how to do it, so I did it,” she explained.

“I was only able to have one bite of the famous croissant cookie you guys have here, so I’m gonna go get one tomorrow.”

The British pair of Dina Asher-Smith and Daryll Neita, who placed fourth and fifth respectively, were even more frustrated since Asher-Smith lost out on a medal by a mere two hundredths of a second.

“It was simply extremely enjoyable. “When the gun goes, just run,” I told myself, and whatever transpires, occurs. Asher-Smith declared, “It was an amazing race.” “I was so focused on my race, I had no idea where I finished.”

Shericka Jackson, the current world champion from Jamaica, had to withdraw from Sunday’s heats because of an injury.